WASHINGTON (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have come marching in to the White House.
President Barack Obama welcomed the Super Bowl champions on Monday in an East Room ceremony where he congratulated the players, owner and coaches. He said the team lifted up "the hopes and the dreams of a shattered city" in the wake of the ravages of Hurricane Katrina.
The Saints electrified their city and fans by beating the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, in February.
Obama acknowledged being a Chicago Bears fan but said New Orleans has a unique relationship with its football team after the Saints' Super Bowl win.
Obama also talked about the latest disaster to hit the Gulf, the BP oil spill. He expressed optimism that the battle to stop the flowing of the oil is just about over.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Photo Caption: President Barack Obama stands with, from left: New Orleans Saints football quarterback Drew Brees, Saints part owner Rita Benson LeBlanc, the owner's wife Gayle Benson, and team owner Tom Benson, as he welcomes the 2009 NFL Super Bowl NFL Football Champions New Orleans Saints during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington Aug. 9. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Barack Obama welcomed the Super Bowl champions on Monday in an East Room ceremony where he congratulated the players, owner and coaches. He said the team lifted up "the hopes and the dreams of a shattered city" in the wake of the ravages of Hurricane Katrina.
The Saints electrified their city and fans by beating the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, in February.
Obama acknowledged being a Chicago Bears fan but said New Orleans has a unique relationship with its football team after the Saints' Super Bowl win.
Obama also talked about the latest disaster to hit the Gulf, the BP oil spill. He expressed optimism that the battle to stop the flowing of the oil is just about over.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Photo Caption: President Barack Obama stands with, from left: New Orleans Saints football quarterback Drew Brees, Saints part owner Rita Benson LeBlanc, the owner's wife Gayle Benson, and team owner Tom Benson, as he welcomes the 2009 NFL Super Bowl NFL Football Champions New Orleans Saints during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington Aug. 9. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
